Yi Un, Korean prince (b. 1897)

Lieutenant General Prince Imperial Yeong, Yi Un, also formally known by his posthumous title, Crown Prince Uimin (sometimes spelled Euimin), was a pivotal figure in modern Korean history. Born on October 20, 1897, and passing away on May 1, 1970, he bore a multitude of names throughout his life, including Yi Un, Yi Eun, Lee Eun, and Un Yi, reflecting a period of profound national transformation and personal challenge. As the 28th and final Head of the Korean Imperial House, his life was inextricably linked to the twilight of the Joseon Dynasty and the subsequent Japanese colonial period. Beyond his royal lineage, he held the rank of an Imperial Japanese Army general, a testament to the complex political landscape he navigated.

The Last Crown Prince of Korea and the Annexation

The year 1910 marked a tragic turning point for Korea. With the forced annexation of the Empire of Korea by Japan, the nation's sovereignty was lost, and Emperor Sunjong, Yi Un's elder brother, was compelled to abdicate. Despite this seismic shift, Yi Un retained a poignant title: "His Highness The Crown Prince of Korea." This designation, however, was largely symbolic, reflecting his lineage rather than actual political power, as Korea was now under direct Japanese rule. His position thrust him into a uniquely challenging role, caught between his Korean heritage and the political realities imposed by Imperial Japan.

Life in Japan and the Imperial Marriage

Yi Un spent much of his life in Japan, a direct consequence of the annexation. Following the death of Emperor Sunjong on June 10, 1926, his status evolved once more. He was then referred to as "His Highness King Yi of Changdeokgung" while residing in Japan, a title that acknowledged his historical royal standing within a Japanese framework, though without sovereign authority in his homeland. A significant personal event occurred on April 28, 1920, when he married Princess Masako of Nashimoto in Tokyo. Princess Masako, born on November 4, 1901, and living until April 30, 1989, was the eldest daughter of Prince Nashimoto Morimasa, a prominent member of the Japanese Imperial Family. This arranged marriage was more than a personal union; it symbolized the intricate and often fraught relationship between the former Korean royal family and the Japanese imperial household, representing an attempt to integrate the Korean aristocracy into the Japanese system during the colonial era.

Post-World War II: Exile and Stripped Titles

The end of World War II brought hopes of return for Yi Un, but the geopolitical landscape had drastically changed. With Korea liberated but divided, and the Republic of Korea established, his prolonged residence in Japan and his service as an Imperial Japanese Army general made his return politically complex. Consequently, he was initially refused entry to his homeland. Further cementing his altered status, his Japanese titles were officially removed in 1947 by Article 14 of the new Constitution of Japan. This article, aimed at establishing equality and abolishing the peerage system, stripped all members of the former imperial nobility, including Yi Un, of their inherited titles and privileges, marking a definitive end to his formal aristocratic standing.

Lieutenant General Prince Imperial Yeong, Yi Un's life spanned an era of immense upheaval for Korea. From his birth as a royal prince to his years as a Japanese general, and later as a figure navigating a post-war world, his journey encapsulates the complex identity struggles and national tragedies of early 20th-century Korea. Though initially refused entry to his homeland after the war, his personal story remains a poignant reflection of Korea's tumultuous path to modernity until his passing on May 1, 1970.

Frequently Asked Questions about Yi Un

Who was Yi Un?
Yi Un, also known as Prince Imperial Yeong and Crown Prince Uimin, was the 28th and last Head of the Korean Imperial House. He was the final Crown Prince of Korea, a title he held through a period of immense change, including the Japanese annexation of Korea, and also served as an Imperial Japanese Army general.
Why was he still called "Crown Prince of Korea" after the 1910 annexation?
After the 1910 annexation and Emperor Sunjong's abdication, Yi Un's title, "His Highness The Crown Prince of Korea," became largely symbolic. It recognized his legitimate claim as the heir to the Korean imperial throne by lineage, even though actual sovereignty and political power had shifted to Japan.
What was the significance of his marriage to Princess Masako of Nashimoto?
His marriage to Princess Masako of Nashimoto in 1920 was an arranged union between the former Korean imperial family and a prominent Japanese imperial family branch. It was a politically charged event, designed to further integrate the Korean royal family into the Japanese imperial system during the colonial period, symbolizing a complex cultural and political intertwining.
Why was Yi Un refused entry to Korea after World War II?
Following World War II, Korea was grappling with liberation, division, and the establishment of a new republic. Yi Un's prolonged residence in Japan and his service as an Imperial Japanese Army general made his return politically sensitive. The new Korean government viewed his presence as potentially disruptive or associated with the colonial past, leading to his initial refusal of entry.
What happened to his titles after World War II?
In 1947, his Japanese titles were officially removed by Article 14 of the new Constitution of Japan. This article abolished the Japanese peerage system and established equality among all citizens, effectively stripping Yi Un and other former imperial nobles of their hereditary aristocratic status and privileges.